ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) -- Four individuals were arrested in a drug operation conducted by the Asheville Police Department on Wednesday afternoon.

The arrests came after a drug investigation by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Virginia led Asheville police to obtain a search warrant for a residence on Ascension Drive. Before executing the search warrant, officers stopped two occupants leaving the residence in a vehicle.

25-year-old Deonte Sincere Gardner, the passenger, was found with 16.6 grams of fentanyl and was taken into custody without incident. Officers charged him two counts of trafficking opium or heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule II and felony possession schedule II.

Upon searching the residence, officers discovered $7,611, four ha

See Full Page